NOTE: This article was produced by United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn., and distributed July 12 to its subscribers.

An e-Review News FeatureBy Meredyth Earnest**

ANDALUSIA, Ala. — United Methodists in Alabama-West Florida are doing initial damage assessments following the arrival of Hurricane Dennis, and the church is making online giving possible for donations.

PENSACOLA — Damage left in the wake of Hurricane Dennis July 11. Photo by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Photo #05-210.

Particular attention is being given to Florida's Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Shalimar, Milton and Pace communities; and Alabama's Atmore and Monroeville areas. The category 3 storm hit those areas hard July 10.

"I am so appreciative of the tremendous support we have received from other bishops, conferences and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) in the hours following this hurricane," said Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, who leads the denomination's Alabama-West Florida Annual (regional) Conference.

"We will need help," he said. "We will spend the next 24 to 48 hours assessing damage and then will continue to pick up, recover and rebuild.

"It's very hard to go through this again, following Hurricane Ivan," he added. "But we will get through it."

Although the hurricane lost strength before making landfall, the areas that were hit are suffering.

"Despite the impression many media reports are giving, there is major damage in our area," said the Rev. Clyde Pressley, executive director of the Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry. "Even though the damage is significantly less than with Hurricane Ivan, we are still in need of volunteer recovery teams just the same."

Hurricane Dennis — later downgraded to a tropical depression — was blamed for 32 deaths in Haiti and Cuba and five deaths in Florida and Georgia.

United Methodist Communications has again partnered with UMCOR to provide a link for online giving for hurricane relief, effective July 13.

The link, www.methodistrelief.org, will provide people with the opportunity to give in the manner they choose and through the means that is most acceptable to them, according to the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive at UMCom.

Many people have requested an easily accessible means to respond quickly to those affected by Hurricane Dennis, and Hollon said online giving is one of the most immediate channels that can be offered.

Pressley planned to visit hard-hit areas in the Alabama-West Florida Conference on July 12, assessing where to send volunteer teams that call the conference's toll free hotline. The conference's toll-free number to offer assistance is 866-340-1956. Queries can be sent by e-mail to disaster@awfumc.org. The conference needs cleanup crews and teams that can help with debris and floodwater removal.

Volunteers interested in assisting in any area affected by Hurricane Dennis can call UMCOR's Volunteer Hotline at 800-918-3100.

The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, UMCOR disaster response executive, was expected to arrive in Mobile, Ala., July 12 to help the conference with relief efforts.

Contributions to United Methodist recovery efforts can be designated to Hurricanes 2005 Global, Advance No. 982523. Checks to UMCOR can be placed in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. To make a credit-card donation, call 800-554-8583.